Squeeze tube volume reducer

ABSTRACT

A device for flexible, collapsible walled tubes containing a pliable viscous substance for extrusion through an opening in the tube is discussed, which effectively reduces the volume in the tube by moving the contents of the tube toward the end of the tube having the opening. The device has a slot through the middle that is of such width as to allow the flattened and sealed end of the flexible, collapsible walled tube to be inserted, and to enable the device to be slid along the flexible collapsible walled tube body toward the opening. The small tubular one-piece device is of molded plastic or metal and has suitable space for sticker logos on either side of said device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—DESCRICRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

As is well known, many types of viscous materials, such as gels, liquids, pastes, and the like, are sold in flexible collapsible plastic or metal walled tubes having one sealed end and a narrow nozzle end having a closure means, such as a valve or cap thereon. These tubes may be made from many materials, but presently the majority of them are made from flexible plastic or metal. The viscous material to be dispensed from the flexible tube is generally inserted in one end, and this end is then sealed to form an embossed, flattened end. It is also well known that such tubes do not efficiently expel all of the various materials held therein, and numerous attempts have been made to solve this problem. Known means include squeezing members and ratcheting members. Many types of extruding devices have been proposed and used to aid in the expelling of viscous material from flexible tubes. Such known means, work well in some situations, but are not adaptable for all uses and in all situations. Therefore, there still exists the need in the art for an attention getting and interestingly designed means for aiding and dispensing the viscous material held in modern flexible tubes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved means for dispensing viscous material from a flexible, collapsible walled tube. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved sliding device to aid in dispensing a viscous material from a flexible collapsible tube. It is yet a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved device for emptying flexible, collapsible tubes, which device has a slot with two apertures and which is made from a sturdy material allowing the device to be slid along said tube so as to assist in the extrusion of a viscous substance. To this end there is another particular object of this invention in so far as that the user is able to view sticker labels or other logos on either side of said invention while it is in use thereby creating an interest in using this volume reduction invention and the material within the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of a squeeze tube volume reducer;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flexible tube having a sealed end with the squeeze tube volume reducer of the present invention shown thereon, in a position where it has squeezed some viscous material, such as toothpaste, from the dispensing end of a flexible tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and, sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein, specifically to provide for an explanation of a novel and unique device for aiding in the dispensing of a viscous material, such as a toothpaste, gel, liquid, cream, or any other similar type material held in a flexible tube.

As shown in the drawings, the device 9 preferably includes a substantially, tubular body or member with space 10 for logo or other design type stickers (up to approximately 13/16^(th) of an inch wide and 3 inches long) between ends 1 and 2 of a tube shaped body that has a diameter of approximately 10/16 of an inch and a length of up to approximately 3¾ of an inch. The body preferably has ends 1 and 2 with a slot 3 A and B formed there through. The slots are shorter than the width of the body, and are adapted to fit a flexible walled tube, in a flattened position. Therefore, each slot itself has an aperture of approximately 1/16 of an inch and a length of up to 3 inches.

The device 9 may be made from any tubular material, such as a plastic or metal. That is, the slot side edges 4 A and B and 5 A and B are sufficiently long (approximately up to 3 inches), and sturdy enough to spread the viscous substance, toward the cap opening.

As is most clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 the slot has a wide entrance and exit openings 3 A and or B. These apertures, should be approximately 1/16 of an inch wide. Thus the slots should work well with today's flexible, plastic and metal, walled tubes.

As is shown in FIG. 6, the collapsible walled tube 6 includes a cap 7, or the like, that must be removed to dispense material therefrom and a flattened, and an embossed and sealed end 8. The flattened, embossed and sealed end 8 is also normally thicker than the individual flexible tube walls.

In use, the device 9 of the present invention is firmly grasped by the fingers of a user at one or both of the ends 1 and 2 or along the body of the invention. The slots 3 A and B are then placed, over one end of the flattened and sealed end 8 so as to enable the entire device 9 to be pushed or slid along the tube body. As discussed above, the device 9 is sized and dimensioned so that it fits on any available flexible tube wherein the length is less than or equal to 3 inches wide. The slot apertures are preferably approximately 1/16 inches wide and are able to accommodate the entire width of sealed end 8 and the walls of the tube 6, when substantially flattened. Since, the device 9 is of sturdy character this enables it to be smoothly slid over the end 8 and then along the collapsible walled tube 6, toward the cap 7, so as to enable the sides of the tube to be flattened and the viscous material extruded.

Accordingly, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the device of the present invention provides an easy to use volume reducer for emptying a plastic or metal, flexible, collapsible walled tube.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described, preferred embodiments, can be completed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 

1. A device for aiding in the dispensing of a pliable, viscous material from a flexible, collapsible walled tube; the tube having one flattened and sealed end, and a second dispensing end having a closure means thereon; the device comprising, in combination: an elongated tubular body having a slot, of a shorter length than the body, formed there through; the slot being an entrance and exit to the device being substantially equal to the length or thickness of the two walls of the plastic or metal tube inserted therein, the entrance and exit to the slot is able to receive the flattened and sealed end of the flexible tube; and p1 the device being made such that the slot may pass over the flattened and sealed end of the collapsible walled tube body, so as to flatten the collapsible tube and move viscous product therein forward, toward the dispensing end of the collapsible tube, and the device being held in position by the friction from the tube walls, while the viscous material is squeezed or forced out by squeezing the sides of the flexible collapsible walled tube in front of the device as this limits the material from refilling the already evacuated volume by sliding the device along the flexible tube toward the open end of the flexible tube; to this end the material is limited from going into the collapsed portion of the collapsible walled tube by the narrowness of the slot of the device.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is substantially tubular in shape and approximately 10/16 of an inch in diameter and up to approximately 3¾ of an inch in length.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot is approximately up to 3 inches long with an aperture of approximately 1/16 of an inch.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot is sized and dimensioned to fit over the flattened and sealed end of substantially any collapsible, flexible walled tube.
 5. The device of claim 1 for dispensing a viscous material from a collapsible, flexible walled tube, comprising: the collapsible flexible walled tube being formed from a plastic or metal flexible walled tube and having a flattened, embossed and sealed end and, a dispensing end having a nozzle with a closure means thereon; the device being fabricated from a plastic or metal so as to be a substantially tubular body with elongated side portions with a slot formed between these elongated sides and the tubular ends, there is also suitable space for logo stickers (up to approximately 13/16^(th) of an inch wide and up to 3 inches long) on either of the device's sides, whereby; the said slot being an entrance and an exit to the device allows the flattened, embossed and sealed end of the flexible walled tube to be inserted therein, and slid along the body of said tube. 